HOW TO NAVIGATE THIS BLOG:


We enjoy sharing our lifestyle with our family, friends, and others. So COME ON OUT and "let's get on with it". You only have an opportunity to live once. For those of you who do not choose to get away, feel free to travel vicariously via this blog.

This is primarily a blog of photographs, of our travels. Our blogging time is limited by our activities, so we figure a photograph is worth a thousand words. You may click on the photos to enlarge them.

There is only one Post per page. You can access earlier posts by clicking on the link below and to the right, or by going to the "archive" which is found below the current post.

The "Relevant Links" will take you to sites showing our current location, the weather conditions that we are experiencing, some of our favorite ports of call, and information related to our boat. When using the SPOT link, to see where we are, click on "satellite" tab to get a photo of the area (takes a while to load).

If you must have more then you may also follow the links to our "Earlier Blogs".

Enjoy

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McCallum to Francois, Newfoundland

Tuesday, August 21st, 2012

Time to say goodbye to McCallum and be on our way west along the coast to another outport called Francois.  Here you see McCallum off our stern:


 
Scenes as we leave the protected harbour behind:



 
The southwest coast of Newfoundland and some of it's many waterfalls.  It was a wee bit hazy but there is nothing to be done about that:








This rock, called "Blow Me Down," at the entrance to Devil Bay is 1280 feet and is considered as good a technical climb as El Capitan in Yosemite:




 
Views seen as we enter the bay where Francois is found:



 
The outport of Francois:



McCallum, Newfoundland

Monday, August 20th, 2012

McCallum is an "outport" - a coastal village with no  physical connections to the outside world.  Most outports have been "resettled" for economic reasons.  Unfortunately, this action has very negative effects on the people and their lifestyle.  Thus far, the people of McCallum have maintained their independence - partially due to the success of the local aquaculture fishery:
  

The ferry is the primary physical means of connecting with the outside world.  But, these outports manage to have excellent wireless internet,  phone service, and TV reception also.
 



"Evergreen" at the McCallum floating dock:
 


 
The wharf - every imaginable spot is utilized:

 
 A typical storage/work shop:
 
 
The school's basket ball court is perched on the edge of the hill:


McCallum - note the wooden street/walkway - transportation is accomplished via 4 wheeler:


 
Passing zone:


A "Stage"


The hills tower above the village:
 



TV reception dishes are placed on hill tops:
 


 
The harbour:


Finding a spot to establish a garden is difficult as space is at a premium:


A pleasurable addition of color:






Grand Bank to McCallum, Newfoundland

Monday, August 20th, 2012

Today we move from Grand Bank to the outport of McCallum.  Thanks to an early start we were able to observe a beautiful sunrise.  It is amazing how much shorter the days are becoming.  Only a few weeks ago it was light 4:00 am - 10:00 pm.

 
Patchy fog clings to the islands:


 
As we approach McCallum we note the new type of red rock:

 
McCallum finds itself on the "Fjord Coast of Newfoundland.  Unfortunately the photos of the fjords on the northeast coast were lost so now, and in subsequent posts you will have a new opportunity to see what they are like:


Despite being nearly solid rock the hillsides are very lush:

 
Legend has it that this is the profile of Miss McCallum in repose (the imagination of lonely fishermen and sailors can run wild):
 
 



 
Finally, there is McCallum peeking out from it's protected cove:
 
 


Ship Cove to Grand Bank, Newfoundland

Sunday, August 19th, 2012

As we left Ship Cove behind we passed this pretty island that had both sheep and goats grazing on it:


The topography changed dramatically as we rounded the tip of the Burin Peninsula:




 
This must be a very special lighthouse since it has a super deluxe helicopter landing pad - normally the pads are the size of a postage stamp:
 

 
A grey rock shoreline yet the beach is made up of very red sand and pebbles - where did that come from:


 
The town of Grand Bank - from the outside:

 
Entering Grand Bank Harbour:
 

 
A taste of the town:




 
This Clearwater Fisheries vessel had been here the last time we visited two years ago.  It's electronics had been totalled when a large wave blew out some of the windows on the bridge deck --- that must have been one heck of a wave.  Now after two + years the very basics have been repaired and it will soon cross the Atlantic to begin a new life. 



The Grand Bank wharf and waterfront:

 
Light at the entrance of the harbour: